This savory 6 ingredient ham and swiss strata is a delicious, easy breakfast or brunch recipe for a group, and it's perfect for using up leftover ham or day-old bread!

ham and swiss breakfast strata in a white baking dish.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, or somewhere in between, it's likely you may be making a ham (or gifted one) over the course of the holiday season. We certainly do in our family! And as delicious as leftover spiral sliced ham is for dinner or in a sandwich, sometimes it feels like leftover ham lasts forever and you just need something different. That's where this ham and swiss strata comes in!

What is a Strata?

A strata is a breakfast casserole made with day old bread - basically a savory french toast casserole. It can have any kind of vegetable, cheese, or breakfast meat, and it's great for any meal of the day, not just breakfast!

gold spoon lifting a piece of ham and swiss strata from a baking dish.

Why You'll Love This Ham and Swiss Strata

This strata is perfect for using up leftovers, both spiral sliced ham and any kind bread or rolls. If you've got plenty of leftovers and/or a lot of people to feed for breakfast, you'll love this strata! It's incredibly easy to make with just 6 ingredients, and it can even be made ahead of time.

How To Make Ham and Swiss Strata

four image collage showing steps for making ham and swiss strata.

Cut the bread into cubes. If your bread is fresh, you'll need to 'stale' it a bit by toasting it in the oven for about 15 minutes.
Whisk the eggs, milk, dijon, salt and pepper. Stir in the bread, ham and cheese. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes so the bread can soak up the custard mixture.
Pour the bread mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the center is set.
Let the strata cool for a few minutes before cutting and serving.

overhead view of ham and swiss strata in a white baking dish on a white background.

Tips and Recipe Variations

If the top of the strata starts to brown too quickly before it's finished, loosely cover it with foil.
If you need to extend the life of leftover ham, place it in the freezer until you're ready to use it.
If you'd like to add any vegetables or other ingredients, go for it! Leftover roasted veggies work great. If you want to add any other veggies, sauté them for just a bit before adding them in with the ham.
I like to use whole wheat bread or sourdough, but any bread will work! This recipe is great for leftover dinner rolls or even croissants.
Swap out the swiss for any cheese you have on hand.
Add any spices or herbs you prefer!

Can this Strata Be Made In Advance?

You can absolutely make this breakfast strata in advance. Mix the ingredients, pour them into the baking dish, cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, uncover the dish, let it rest at room temperature while the oven preheats, and bake.

slice of ham and swiss strata on a white plate with a gold fork next to it.

More Breakfast Casseroles You'll Love

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Ham and Swiss Strata

Print Recipe

This savory 6 ingredient ham and swiss strata is a delicious, easy breakfast or brunch recipe for a group, and it's perfect for using up leftover ham or day-old bread!

Author: Kaleigh
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 70 miuntes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: breakfast
Method: baked
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups cubed day-old bread
6 large eggs
2 cups milk
1 tsp dijon mustard
¼ tsp fine sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 ½ cups ham, chopped into cubes
4 oz swiss cheese, chopped (or about 1 cup grated)

Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
Cut bread into ½ to 1 inch cubes. If bread is fresh, spread on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes to dry it out.
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, dijon, salt and pepper. Add bread, ham and cheese and stir to coat. Let mixture sit for 10 minutes.
Pour into greased baking dish. Bake 40-50 minutes, or until the center appears set. If the top starts to become too brown, you can lightly cover it with foil while baking.
Let strata cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting.

Notes

To make in advance, mix strata and pour into baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Uncover and let sit at room temperature while oven preheats in the morning.
If the top of the strata starts to brown too quickly before it's finished, loosely cover it with foil.
If you need to extend the life of leftover ham, place it in the freezer until you're ready to use it.
If you'd like to add any vegetables or other ingredients, go for it! Leftover roasted veggies work great. If you want to add any other veggies, sauté them for just a bit before adding them in with the ham.
I like to use whole wheat bread or sourdough, but any bread will work! This recipe is great for leftover dinner rolls or even croissants.
Swap out the swiss for any cheese you have on hand.
Add any spices or herbs you prefer!